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Published: February 17th 2009
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Biking Tour We just said good-bye at the Bangkok Train Station to the 12 members of ouir Northern Thailand Gap Adventure tour group. We had a great time with them - 2 Germans, 3 Canadians, 3 Americans, 1 Aussie, 1 Brit, 1 Indonesian and ourselves. Tui was our Thai guide who was born and raised in Bangkok. The ages of our group ranged from ealy 20's to mid 60's, couples and singles. If you aren't too bored here are a few memorable moments on our tour. We had an amazing time!!
Day 1 and 2 - Local bus to the city of Sukhathai - on bicyles visited Buddah and Hindu temple ruins dating back to the 1200's. Hotel here had one of the biggest and cleanest hotel pools I have ever come across!!
Day 3 - Local bus to the city of Lampong where we took a walking tour of the local market - specialties were cobra, worms and insects!! I guess it is a popular dish with the locals. Had a Thai massage in the afternoon at a herbal massage conservation area - a wonderful experience - different from our massage at home (more pulling, pushing and stretching) and only
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Buddah Temple Ruins about $7.00 Cdn!!
Day 4 - Headed out in vans to an elepohant training camp where we watched the elephants bath in the river, saw elephant dung paper being made and saw the elelphant show that was amazing - we did not know elephants can paint pictures including self portraits!! It's true!!We ended our visit with ouir first ever elephant safari ride through the jungle as well as visited the elephant hospital. Stopped at a pineapple farm and tried the tasty sweet fruit. Visited a unique temple done in white stucco and glass - looks like an ice palace in the north pole! Checked into our hotel in Chang Rai.
Day 4 - Caught the bus to the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. Walked over the bustling Burma border and took a boat to Laos where w visited a tiny village. Also, stopped at a Chinese market where athe boats from China arrive in Thailand by river. Visited a local hillk tribe village where athe long neck kwomen wear up to 20 brass coils arouind their necks. Origianlly they were put on the girls sto protect them from tigers!! I boiught a
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A lady selling bananas and treats lovely jade ring at the jade factory - a very good deal. Had a hot pot for supper at the night bizaar.
Day 6 - Headed on the local bus to Chang Mai (pop 1.6 million). Visited a famous and beautiful temple built on the mountain overlooking Chang Mai. Lots of markets and shopping.
Day 7 - Head on an adventure west of Chang Mai in the jungle where we took an ox and cart ride through a tribal village and athen rafted down the river for an hour - very impressive. Warren actually guided the raft for part of the trip. At this place I was also lifted up in a elephant's trun. What fun. If you gave this elephant 20 bhats in his trunk, he would go to the market and buy a bunch of bananas, come back eat them and take a thank you bow!!! Left on the overnight train to Bangkok.
Day 8 - Spent a surprisingly comfortable night on the 13 hour sleeper train to Bangkok. Another 1st for us. If you ever have 10 days to see Northern Thailand we would highly reccomment Gap touirs (Canadian company) Caught a 11:30 a.m.
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My beautiful pool! flight to the island of Ko Samui. Will update you later
Bye for now. Hope everyone is doing well!
Mallory and Warren
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Ryan
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I can't beleive it took this long to get a picture of Mallory in a pool. Looks like you guys are having a great time, giving us lots of ideas.